Castor, LA Fishing: Louisiana’s Best Getaway

Castor is a community in northern Louisiana's Bienville Parish. Contrary to popular belief, "Castor" is related to the Latin genus Castoridae, another name for the beaver. The Confederacy received salt from Castor during the Civil War. Alfred P. King ran a salt operation west of Castor. The Castor Guards and the Bienville Rifles were among the units from the region that received hundreds of young men as recruits for the Civil War.

Overall, more than 12,950 people are living in Bienville Parish, which is located in northwest Louisiana. Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, credited with founding New Orleans, was honored with a parish named Bienville when it was established in 1848. The integrated municipality of Arcadia, which stands 384 above sea level, and serves as the parish seat, has the highest elevation in the state. Overall, these qualities place Bienville Parish among the top Louisiana fishing vacations.

One reliable source of sustenance for the parish has been fishing in Bienville. In Bienville Parish, LA, fishing is crucial to the state's economy and commercial sector, in addition to providing for the needs of the locals. Bienville anglers bring in over 20 million pounds of fish and seafood, which many traders sell to Louisiana cities nearby. Thus, it is no wonder that excellent freshwater fishing opportunities for Castor can be found in nearby bayous and backwaters.

Castor Fishing

Castor does not have any fish-rich bodies of water where anglers can fish because of its modest size and the fact that Bienville Parish is an inland area. Still, it is close to some excellent fishing locations in Louisiana.

One of the several lakes in Bienville Parish where anglers may go fishing is Lake Bistineau. It's renowned for being a bass angler's heaven. A log jam formed the original Lake Bistineau on the Red River in Louisiana. However, it drained after being dredged. The government decided to build a long-lasting dam, creating Lake Bistineau.

Water skiers and anglers looking to throw for a trout or bass record in the coves and fingers will find the lake's 14-mile length ideal. It boasts over 50 miles of shoreline dotted with tupelo and cypress trees. Additionally, thriving in this area are catfish, sunfish, and yellow bass, which makes for great fishing.

The best bass fishing in Louisiana is underappreciated because it is difficult to find, and those that fish at Kepler Lake have exclusive access to it. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries claims that Kepler was established in 1957 due to the damming of Kepler Creek. Water flooded the lowlands around the creek and creating a lake with 2,000 acres of cypress trees and stumps. Kepler Lake differs from most other lakes for a few key factors.

The lake should be explored before night falls by any angler considering traveling to Kepler for night bass fishing. However, in addition to submerged stumps and poorly marked routes, a visitor to the lake for the first time would probably run into challenges and obstructions. In this area, you can catch some upright bass by tossing a jig or soft-plastic lure around the bases of the cypress trees or by burying a crankbait close to the stumps. Up to 8 pounds can be found in kepler bass. This lake is popular among anglers for both bream and bass, particularly in the spring when bream spawn.

Using a lightly weighted jig head and floating the lure slowly past the hot spots is a smart strategy when the bream are perched high in the water beneath a bridge or pontoon. Fishing a big jig head will help move the lure down into the strike zone if the fish are holding deep. The best live fishing bait for bream is probably crickets. But more on such baits later. Earthworms like redworms, wigglers, and fiddle worms can also be utilized successfully.

Jimmie Davis State Park, situated on a peninsula on Caney Lake, provides two boat launches and a fishing pier for outdoor enthusiasts searching for a top freshwater fishing location. Another activity to enjoy the lake's crystal-clear waters is water skiing. Caney Creek was dammed to construct the lake in 1986. Since variety is the flavor of life, these two parks provide enough of it.

Six of the top ten largest largemouth bass ever taken in the state have been caught at Caney Lake, where Jimmie Davis is situated. The Caney Lake Reservoir was built in the 1980s across Caney Creek. Since then, anglers have caught record-sized bass from the lake. Anglers attribute the existence of the ideal fish habitat to the dense grassy beds that line the shore. People come from around to camp because of the attractive summer beach and nearby piney woods. On the lake the park is named for, there is also fantastic fishing at Chicot, but the camping areas are in hardwood forests, the kayaking trails are through enormous cypress swamps, and the nature walks are full of mystery.

Bass are particularly well-liked among beginners learning how to fish because they are not picky eaters. The most popular and possibly most efficient kind of lure is the jig. Depending on the environment in which you're fishing, there are several jig possibilities. A punch jig, for example, can be utilized in dense vegetation because of its weight. Casting jigs are a good alternative for places with a grassy or weedy cover because of their svelte shape, which is meant to penetrate. The good news is that there are a lot of striped bass fishing charters in Louisiana to make the whole trip easier and more enjoyable. 

Top 10 Fish Species in Castor, LA

The top ten fish species caught in Castor, LA, are largemouth bass, black rockfish, white bass, yellow bass, blue catfish, lake trout, redear sunfish, crappie, bluegill,  and smallmouth bass.

Seasonal Fishing

The number of weather variables determines whether a day is favorable or unfavorable for fishing. Fish's eating habits are influenced by how much and hard it rains. Depending on the temperature of the water and the air, fish tend to bite frequently. If you pay attention to the weather, you'll have a better chance of catching something. The most pleasant months in Castor are October, April, and May, whereas July and August are unfavorable.

Discover the Hidden Wonders of Castor

1. Book a Fishing Charter

You must book fishing tours to make the most of your trip and have fun while fishing. A qualified guide will also carry all the equipment required for your journey. The staff of your guide is also on hand to give you any fishing instructions you need. If you wish to test your skills or learn a new technique for casting the line, the specialists on board can help. The good thing is that there are plenty of offshore fishing charters in Louisiana, so you can explore the place anytime.

2. Visit the McCain’s Family Farm

You can choose blueberries that are grown without pesticides. Typically, the blueberry season starts in late May and lasts through July. The farm is operational seven days a week. You are welcome to travel to McCain's Family Farm for weekends, holidays, and educational excursions.

3. Visit the Briarwood - The Caroline Dormon Nature Preserve

Finding a secret garden in a secluded forest corner was relatively peaceful, with flowering plants, azaleas, and iris. Despite being far from anywhere, the trip may be completed in a single day from a central or northern Louisiana location. It is definitely worth the effort, especially in the spring. So come and check out "The Caroline Dormon Nature Preserve" if you want to connect with nature easily.